◦ Cooperation in favour of victims of the trafficking of human beings and in other related matters
◦ Cooperation in the fight against terrorism, border control and in peace support operations
◦ Cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage
◦ Cooperation for high level courses of studies for career diplomats
◦ Cooperation in health, education and vocational training
Within the Europen Union context, Italy is contributing with 85 million Euro to the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) for Nigeria regarding the period 2009-2013 out of a total of 677 million, besides contributing for 12.5%, that is 74.6 million, to the part of the EDF tantamount to 597 million dedicated to the EU cooperation in the Western Africa region.
Italy is furthermore engaged in many other multilater and bilateral cooperation activities.
Cooperation in favour of victims of the trafficking of human beings and in other related matters
The main focus of Italy’s engagement in Nigeria has been in the fight against the trafficking of human beings, in the protection of human rights and in the empowerment of vulnerable categories like women and minors.
The United Nations Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) carried out in 2005 and in 2006 two phases of the project financed by the Development Cooperation Directorate General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on contrasting organized crime in the trafficking of young women, minors and children (particularly to fend off sexual abuse) and on reducing the phenomenon of illicit smuggling of human beings. The programme started in 2005 and ended in 2009. It has involved the Nigerian Authority for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters-NAPTIP (www.naptip.gov.ng) and also the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime-UNODC. The programme was part of a wider initiative launched in 1999 at regional level by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.
The project was meant to assist NAPTIP in further developing its own capacities through the training of its personnel and the gathering and managing of information on the illicit trafficking of human being, also by means of a specialized software granted by the Italian Ministry of Justice and by the Italian National Antimafia Bureau which has been adapted to the local reality. Moreover, specific actions were undertaken to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the trafficking in particular by favouring their return and integration to the places of origin and through preventing the phenomenon by a thorough information campaign.
On the occasion of the visit to Abuja of the Italian National Antimafia Prosecutor, Dr. Pietro Grasso, on the 14-16 December 2010 a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between NAPTIP and the Italian Antimafia Bureau. The MoU provides for cooperation in combating trafficking in persons and laundering of proceeds from crimes committed by criminal and criminal associations, especially with a view of tackling the issue of transnational organized crime.
A Memorandum to fight illegal migration, organized crime and drugs-related criminality was signed in 2009 by the Chief of Police of Italy and by the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), under the auspices of the General Secretary of Interpol. The MoU offers also the possibility of training courses in Italy for officer of the Nigerian police.
The goal is the fight against migrant trafficking and illegal immigration. The Agreement offers training opportunities in Italy to NPF's officers whom attend Italian language courses and then are depolyed at Police's Border Office and at Investigative Authorities positions for one year period. Mixed police teams are so created and deployed at international airports, harbours and in some cities.
The second training season has successfully come to an end and the will to proceed through the activities foreseen by the aforesaid Agreement has been confirmed for other two years.
Currently, five NPF's officers members of the last Mission are going to be replaced by a new mission of three officers, to be chosen by the competent Nigerian Authorities.
Italy has furthermore financed programmes implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The first in 2001 was aimed at favouring the social reintegration of young women and children victims of HIV/AIDS.
In 2008 a further programme has been financed for the strengthening of the services in Nigeria for the reintegration of the victims of trafficking of human beings. The programme is still on-going and the current phase is due to be accomplished by the end of 2011.
The International Labour Organisation is implementig a project financed by the European Union on "Enhancing the Cooperation to fight Trafficking in Human Beings from Nigeria to Europe". The implementation partner of ILO is the Department for Equal Opportunities of the Presidency of the Council of Ministry (Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri-Dipartimento per le Pari Opportunita').
The project has started with a workshop in Abuja on 4 March 2011. It will last two years. It consists in studies on the nature, origins and implications of the trafficking in human beings in Nigeria, with a particular view to the illicit exploitation of young workers. At the same time, it will provide technical assistance to the Nigerian Ministries and Agencies involved.
In the past, the Italian Ministry of Interior has donated to the Nigeria Immigration Services, vehicles, computer and related facilities to enhance their capabilities to effectively control borders and the flow of migration.
Cooperation in the fight against terrorism, border control and in peace support operations
In 2010 Italy has contributed to the United Nations multi-agency initiative called “Integrated Assistance in Counter Terrorism” managed by an ad hoc Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force which coordinates UNODC, OHCHR, UNESCO and UNICRI, with the support of Interpol. The initiative is part of the “Global Counter Terrorism Strategy” launched by the UN General Assembly in 2006. It aims at providing to Nigeria an electronic platform by which it is possible to better coordinate the efforts of Nigerian authorities and donors in identifying the gaps still present for further capacity building projects.
Since 2007 training activities for Nigerian security forces have been organized at the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) established in Vicenza in accordance with the G8 action plan “Expanding Global Capability for Peace Support Operations”, with almost 300 members of the Nigerian Security forces trained of which around 90 of the highest ranks.
Between January and February 2012, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs financed a specialization course of the duration of three weeks organized in Italy by the "Guardia di Finanza" in favour of 20 Nigerian officers coming from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police and Office of the National Security Adviser. The course on border control and security contains also a strong component of "train the trainers".
The Italian Ministry of Interior, thorugh its Central Directorate for Immigration and Border Police, organizes in February 2012 a four weeks course in Italy in favour of 20 officers of the Nigeria Police dedicated to "Immigration Border Control".
The course takes place within the framework of the activities for the implementation of the Agreement on Immigration Matters between Italy and Nigeria, signed on September 2000 and wholly ratified in June 2011.
Within this framework, eight Nigeria Police officers have already taken part to long term training "on-the-job" programmes in Italy.
Cooperation for high level courses of studies for career diplomats
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs financed a high level course of studies for four months in favour of 20 Nigerian career diplomats, organized in Italy thanks to the cooperation between the "Istituto Diplomatico" and the "Societa' Italiana per l'Organizzazione Internazionale-SIOI".
The course, taking place between January and April 2012, deals with International Politics, Economy and Practical Diplomacy, besides offering an insight in Italy's istitution, language and culture and in its role within the European Union and in the wider international scenario.
Cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage
Nigeria is also partner of the multi-donors programme “Africa 2009” managed by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to which the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contributed through a grant. The programme is rooted in the notion that the problems facing conservation in Africa must be addressed not only through technical solutions, but also through better taking into account the relationship between the cultural heritage and its social, environmental and economical aspects. Capacity in the region has greatly been increased through training courses, workshops, seminars and site projects carried out at regional and national levels. More than 300 heritage professionals of Nigeria and Mali (the other Country partner to the initiative) were trained and over 35 heritage sites addressed. The network of heritage professionals in regular contact with each other has also increased. More details are available at the website of ICCROM www.iccrom.org
Cooperation in health, education and vocational training
Thanks also to contributions granted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the following projects are being implemented in Nigeria by Italian NGOs, mainly focusing on health, education and vocational training:
“Fondazione AVSI” is conducting a project in Lagos for training and upgrading the skills of medical and para-medical personnel who is in service in the urban area of Lagos. The same NGO works on improving the capabilities of a nutritional assistance centre located in Eti-Osa (Lagos) for families and children affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
“Apurimac” is currently engaged in developing a school and a vocational training centre in New Karu (Abuja) and in Jos (Plateau). The project is particularly aimed at providing education and job opportunities (for instance through manufacturing of handicrafts, knitting, tailoring, catering, Information and Communication Technology) to vulnerable women and children who are exposed to risks of migration and illicit trafficking of human beings. The Centre in Jos fosters also initiatives on dialogue, peaceful integration and conflict prevention. A round table at the Residence of the Ambassador held on February 2011 has allowed to draw best practices from these projects with the relevant Nigerian authorities, and to show the achievments so far to the local and international communities in a subsequent event (see the website
http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/Sala_Stampa/ArchivioNotizie/Approfondimenti/2011/03/20110302_CooperazioneNigeria ).
On the 6th of December 2011, the Ambassador of Italy attended the diploma awarding ceremony of certificates issued by the Vocational Centre in Jos. Diplomas have been awarded to around 150 students in the fields of catering, hair-dressing, knitting, tailoring and ICT. Almost 1800 students graduated at the Centre over the last three years of activity.
The ceremony was attended by Authorities of the Plateau State Government and by representative of the civil society, like NGOs and the main Nigerian Islamic association, Jama'atu Nasril Islam.
Here follow some pictures of the ceremony.
Similarly, “Venerabile Arciconfraternita della Misericordia di Firenze” has been implementing since 2007 a three years project in Imo State aimed at creating and managing a multi-subjects vocational training centre offering opportunities of educating young men and women in developing business and services related initiatives, particularly in the health assistance sector.
Moreover, the Italian NGO “Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde” could soon be implementing a project for construction and management of an eye-treatment clinic in Orlu (Imo State). The clinic is intended to provide free of charge assistance to those in need, besides training for local oculists. It will be managed in the future by the local Catholic Diocese.
Eventually, it is worth noting that Italian and other Countries’ nuns of the congregation of “Sorelle Oblate di Nazareth” (Oblates of Nazareth Sisters) run a school at their Convent in Kaduna which provides primary education to over 800 Nigerian children.
The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate host 230 children at their House in Abia State caring for them through the contributions of Italian NGOs. They also host 23 male children at their house in Sagamu and 24 female children at their house in Ijebu-Igbo.
Italian Diplomatic Network
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